Before bringing a horse or pony into your life, it’s very important that you understand what the costs will be and have a plan for how you will meet them. Let’s look at what you can do to prevent your equine galloping all over your bank account.
From Cheltenham to the Grand National, from Red Rum to Desert Orchid, a day at the races couldn’t be closer to the nation’s heart. And there are few roles more key to that experience than the professional jockey.
Well winter is on its way, the evenings are slowly drawing in and the mud has begun to appear, making my lovely green grassy paddocks resemble a mud covered swamp - like something out of Shrek 😫 (although I am loving the trees changing to the autumnal colours).
I’m pleased to say Autumn and I made it through our dressage test with the new riding club. We did have a few set backs along the way though – Autumn came up slightly lame on the Tuesday evening when we were practising so was given a few days’ rest.
Mabel, Diva’s adopted granny, is retired and roughed off. This basically means that she isn’t bathed or groomed beyond having mud brushed off with a dandy brush so that her coat is full of natural grease and acts to insulate her against the rain and cold.
Whether you’re moving home, changing owners or travelling to a prestigious horse competition or event, longer journeys need a bit more planning and preparation work than a quick trip to the vets.
Most horse owners adore their animals and would do anything to keep them fit, healthy and happy. But, unfortunately, some owners are less responsible and allow their horses to graze on land which is not theirs without the landowner’s permission. This is known as fly-grazing.
Horses, just like their human owners, are susceptible to sunburn and need to be well protected. Being prepared for all eventualities is great, that’s why our horse rider insurance is so highly recommended.
As a responsible horse owner, you want to be able to spot the signs of injury at the earliest opportunity, so that you can treat it before it turns into something more serious. If you see your horse in distress or showing lameness, a good place to start is the hooves.